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Del Monte Motors
Del Monte Motors
Del Monte Motors
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Del Monte Motor Works, Inc. (DMMW), also known as Del Monte Motors, is a bus and truck manufacturer headquartered in Quezon City, Philippines. It was established in 1950. The company offers a range of truck and bus bodies for its all major brands. It is also one of the leading bus body manufacturers in the Philippines, other including Santarosa Motor Works; Almazora Motors Corporation; and Hino Motors Philippines.

Key Information

History

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In 1950, it started manufacturing bus and truck bodies mounted on leading US brands, being International Harvester, Ford, Chevrolet, and the Dodge Chassis. Also, in the 1950s, its sister company, the Emcos Development & Supply Co., Inc. was the leading distributor of International Harvester Macleod, Inc. in Northern Luzon marketing bus chassis, trucks, tractors, agricultural and farm implements.

At present, it is solely responsible for the introduction of Volvo articulated and bi-articulated buses in the Philippines. Philtrak, Volvo, and Del Monte have signed a supply and transfer of technology agreement wherein Volvo will supply its products, mainly the articulated and the bi-articulated bus chassis, and Del Monte will manufacture and assemble the bus body and deliver the finished bus product to Philtrak. Volvo agreed to transfer its technology in the assembly of its articulated and bi-articulated bus chassis to Philtrak and Del Monte jointly constituting a tri-partite agreement among the aforestated parties. Together, they intend to introduce the system not only in Metro Manila but all over the Philippines where the need arises especially on traffic clogged areas.

It is also responsible in re-activating the sale of Isuzu buses in the Philippines when the combined resources of General Motors Corporation, the Yutivo group and its local subsidiary folded up in the middle 1980s by importing directly from the factory of Japan's Isuzu and supplying different bus operators. It is still authorized to import bus and truck chassis on CBU basis and packaging it with the bus or truck body manufactured from its plant.

In 2009, after Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Company Incorporated (BLTBCo.)'s suspended operations and renovation for six years, DMMW took over the management of BLTBCo. They rename the company as Del Monte Land Transport Bus Company (DLTBCo), and continues routes to Metro Manila via Laguna, Quezon Province, Batangas Province, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Albay. Their buses are also made from the company with High Class Greyhound facilities.

In 2018, DMWW began working together with Hyundai to assemble a modern jeepney.[1] Their first units, the Hyundai HD50S Class 2 Modern Jeepney, rolled off the assembly line in 2019.[2] That same year, they began working together with Scania to build a body for their Scania Touring buses.[3]

Pura Bus, an in-house body building division of GV Florida Transport, has a partnership with DMMW thus authorized to produce bus models similar with DMMWI's model line-up.

Facilities

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It has four existing plants and facilities in the Philippines. Two of them are located in Quezon City the third one at Sto. Tomas, Pampanga and the fourth one at Caloocan. It has a tested capacity of a minimum of sixty units of bus and truck bodies a month. It has supplied the majority of bus bodies for the government-owned corporations like the Metro Manila Transit Corporation and the PNR Motor Service. Before the introduction of these articulated buses, Del Monte has pioneered in the manufactured of bus trailers with a capacity of 200 passengers which were operated by MMTC in EDSA and by a private bus operator in the long stretch Marcos Highway. It was also involved in the assembly and rehabilitation of the British Leyland double deckers used to be operated by the same MMTC.

Products

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A DMMW Aero Adamant in Hino RM2P chassis operated by GV Florida Transport, Inc.
DMMW Euro Bus
DMMW DM11 bus body in Hyundai Aero chassis
DMMW DM12 Series 1 in Hyundai Aero chassis.
  • Lion's Star
  • Euro Bus
  • Aero Adamant - uses headlamps from an Irizar PB
  • Aero Xtreme
    • Series I – uses headlamps from a Golden Dragon XML6796
    • Series II – uses headlamps from a Yutong ZK6116D
  • "DM" Series
    • DMAT – Midibus - Uses tail lamps from a 2013 Model Hyundai Super Aero City/Aero City/Unicity
    • DM09
    • DM10 Series
      • Series I – uses headlamps from a Hyundai Universe and LED tail lamps
      • Series II – uses headlamps and tail lamps from a 2008 model Kia Granbird
  • DM11 - uses headlamps of a Golden Dragon Superstar
  • DM12 Series
      • Series I – uses headlamps of 2008 model Kia Granbird
      • Series II – uses headlamps of a Golden Dragon Superstar
  • DM14 Series
      • Series I – with King Long XMQ6129Y fascia (Front and Rear) and Golden Dragon "Marcopolo" Side
      • Series II – with King Long XMQ6117Y/Y3 fascia (Front and Rear) and Golden Dragon "Marcopolo" Side
      • Series III – replica of Daewoo FX with Golden Dragon Superstar Headlamps and Hyundai Universe Tail Lamps
  • DM16 series
      • Series I – with Setra Comfort Class front fascia and King Long XMQ6112AY headlights, taillights and King Long XMQ6125AY rear fascia. Front Engined Variants incorporate the front grille from the Toyota Avanza
      • Mini Bus – with Golden Dragon Triumph headlamps and Toyota Avanza grills.
      • Series II – with Volvo 9800 front fascia.
  • DM18 - uses MAN Lion's Coach (2016 model) Front Fascia
  • Golden Dragon XML6127 Marcopolo Clone / Replica (exclusively custom made for GV Florida Transport & uses Daewoo, Hino, Hyundai, Kia Granbird & MAN R39 18.350 HOCL chassis)
  • DM22 - Facelifted with Scania Touring[4]
  • DM23 - Facelifted with MAN Lion's Coach (2020 model). May have either King Long XMQ6112Y headlights or the stock Lion's Coach headlights
  • DM24
    • Series I – inspired by MAN Lion's Coach (2020 Model) as with DM23, but uses Yutong C9/C11/C12 Headlamps
    • Series II – inspired by 2019 Hyundai Universe fascia
    • Series III - an updated DM23 model that uses OEM/stock MAN Lion's Coach/TGX headlights
    • Series IV - inspired by a Higer KLQ6119/KLQ6123 U-Tour Fascia (Exclusive only to GV Florida Transport)
  • DM26 - Uses Zhongtong Z6 headlights with Zhongtong D12 rear facelift

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Del Monte Motors

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Del Monte Motor Works, Inc. (DMMW), commonly referred to as Del Monte Motors, is a Philippine enterprise engaged in the manufacturing and fabrication of bus and truck bodies.
Founded as a named Del Monte Truck Body Builder in 1950 and incorporated as a in 1971, the company is headquartered at 283 Del Monte Avenue in .
It operates four facilities across the , including a main 10,000-square-meter plant in , branches in Caloocan City, and another in Sto. Tomas, , with a production capacity of 200 bus and truck body units per month.
Del Monte Motors fabricates bodies for chassis from diverse brands such as Hino, , , and , initially focusing on American models like and Ford before expanding to serve government entities and pioneer innovations like bus trailers in the local transport industry.

History

Founding and Early Years (1950–1970s)

Del Monte Motor Works originated as a partnership named Del Monte Truck Body Builder, established in 1950 at No. 283 Del Monte Avenue in , . The venture focused initially on fabricating truck bodies, capitalizing on the post-independence demand for customized heavy vehicles in the archipelago's expanding transport sector. In the early 1950s, the company expanded into manufacturing bus and truck bodies mounted on imported from American brands, including , Ford, Chevrolet, and . These locally built superstructures were designed to fit standard imported frames, enabling assembly for operators reliant on U.S.-sourced components amid limited domestic production. A sister entity, EMCOS, supported distribution of products in Northern , facilitating early market penetration. Through the 1950s and 1960s, Del Monte Motor Works supplied bodies primarily to and provincial bus fleets, addressing the rising need for reliable public transport infrastructure on the ' varied road networks. The emphasis on practical, fabricated assemblies allowed adaptation of foreign to local operational demands, such as passenger capacity and load-bearing for inter-island routes. In 1971, the partnership incorporated as Del Monte Motor Works, Inc., formalizing its structure while continuing to prioritize body-building for imported platforms.

Expansion and Adaptation (1980s–2000s)

During the 1980s, Del Monte Motor Works expanded its operations amid the ' economic recovery following the severe of the early part of the decade, providing customized bus bodies to nearly all major provincial and metropolitan operators, including the government-owned Transit Corporation (MMTC). The company pioneered the production of 200-passenger bus trailers deployed on high-traffic routes such as and the Marcos Highway, enhancing capacity during peak demand periods. It also assembled and rehabilitated double-decker buses for MMTC, adapting to imported to meet regulatory and operational needs under protectionist policies that limited foreign assembly. In response to shifting market dynamics and the folding of local assemblers like General Motors, Yutivo, and Isuzu Philippines in the mid-1980s, Del Monte adapted by directly importing and bodying Isuzu chassis from Japan, re-activating sales for provincial fleets. The firm further diversified into European chassis through a tripartite technology transfer agreement with Philtrak and Volvo, introducing articulated and bi-articulated buses suited for urban mass transit, thereby broadening its compatibility beyond traditional American and emerging Asian brands like Hino, Mitsubishi, and Nissan Diesel. This flexibility allowed it to serve operators modernizing fleets with air-conditioned units for routes to key destinations such as Baguio and provincial highways. Into the 1990s and early 2000s, as trade liberalization under the administration eased import restrictions on , Del Monte expanded into heavier-duty truck bodies to capitalize on rising trucking demand driven by projects and agricultural growth, with the sector's energy consumption share increasing amid GDP expansion averaging 4.0% annually from 2000–2010. The company supplied shuttle bodies for airport and corporate clients like and the SM Group, mounting them on diverse including and . However, market saturation, intensified competition from imported vehicles, and economic volatility—exacerbated by the aftermath—led to suspended operations from approximately 2003 to 2009 for facility renovations and restructuring. Resuming in 2009, this period marked a strategic pause to adapt to evolving regulatory and technological demands in the deregulated sector.

Modern Operations and Developments (2010s–Present)

Del Monte Motor Works, Inc. has maintained steady operations into the 2010s and beyond, leveraging its four manufacturing plants in , City, and Sto. Tomas, to produce up to 200 bus and truck bodies per month. The company has emphasized high-quality bodywork for premium imported , including European models from and , which incorporate advanced engineering for enhanced durability and passenger comfort on long-haul routes. In 2023, delivered its first Touring coach featuring a locally built Del Monte body on a K360IB shipped from , marking a milestone in integrating international with domestic fabrication expertise. The firm has continued supplying bodies to provincial and urban transport operators, including its affiliated DLTB Bus Company, which operates over 700 franchised units across Southern Luzon, , and , with plans to expand to approximately 1,000 buses. These bodies support reliable service on extended routes, often mounted on from brands like Hino, , and MAN, prioritizing structural integrity for demanding Philippine road conditions. Del Monte has also catered to specialized needs, such as shuttle services for at , developments, and SM Group facilities, demonstrating versatility in urban and institutional transport applications. To align with evolving regulatory requirements, Del Monte bodies have been adapted for chassis compliant with the ' Euro 4 emissions standards implemented in 2016, and subsequent Euro 5 upgrades, ensuring reduced pollutant output while meeting safety mandates for vehicle stability and braking systems. Examples include DC13 engines rated Euro V and D8C units, which facilitate lower emissions without compromising power for heavy-duty operations. This compliance has helped sustain competitiveness against fully imported vehicles by combining cost-effective local assembly with globally sourced components that satisfy environmental and safety benchmarks.

Facilities and Operations

Manufacturing Plants and Locations

Del Monte Motor Works maintains its headquarters and two primary manufacturing plants in , , focused on assembly and finishing operations. The main facility at 283 Del Monte Avenue functions as the central hub, housing administrative offices, inventory storage, fabrication equipment, and primary assembly areas across 10,000 square meters of fully enclosed space. A supporting plant at 144 Talayan Street in Talayan Village adds 5,000 square meters of covered workspace, enhancing efficiency for -based clients through close proximity to urban transport hubs and reduced delivery lead times. To bolster production capacity and extend logistical reach, the company operates two additional facilities outside central but within accessible distances. One is located at General Mascardo Street in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City, providing 20,000 square meters with partial roofing for expanded bodywork and customization. The fourth site sits along the National Highway in Moras Dela Paz, Sto. Tomas, —approximately one hour's drive from —encompassing 20,000 square meters, though reconstruction is ongoing due to adjacent highway elevation works. This configuration of four plants enables nationwide servicing of bus and truck operators, balancing high-volume urban responsiveness with scalable operations for provincial markets in and beyond. The strategic clustering in facilitates just-in-time logistics for dense regional demand, while the Pampanga outpost supports broader distribution to northern and central Philippine regions without excessive transport overhead.

Production Processes and Capacity

Del Monte Motor Works fabricates bus and truck bodies primarily through its dedicated fabrication department, constructing superstructures using all-steel, semi-steel, or aluminum materials to form durable vehicle frames and panels. These components undergo assembly processes that include welding for structural integrity, followed by finishing steps such as painting to protect against environmental wear. The completed bodies are mounted onto client-supplied chassis, enabling customization for various transport needs while adhering to original equipment manufacturer guidelines for compatibility and safety. The company's production emphasizes flexibility to accommodate orders ranging from standard bus configurations to specialized builds, leveraging local fabrication capabilities balanced with quality-controlled components. Across its four plants, Del Monte Motor Works maintains a tested minimum capacity of 200 units per month for , bus, or special vehicle bodies, supporting efficient scaling for fleet operators in the Philippine sector. This output level reflects operational efficiency in handling diverse fabrication demands without compromising on assembly precision.

Products

Bus Body Models

Del Monte Motor Works produces bus body models in standard, mini, and specialized configurations, mounted on chassis from manufacturers including Hino, Hyundai, , , and . Configurations encompass front-engine and rear-engine layouts, with options for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned variants suitable for urban, provincial, and express passenger transport. Prominent models in the DM series include the DM11, DM12 Series 1, and DM14 Series 1-3, designed for routes and compatible with chassis such as Hyundai Aero Space LS and MAN 18.350 HOCL. Mini bus variants like the DM09 and DM16 address shorter-distance operations, while the DMAT 11 targets medium-sized applications. The model, as bodied on Hino RM chassis, supports robust needs. Specialized offerings extend to articulated and double-decker buses, as well as trailers with capacities up to 200 passengers, alongside and shuttle buses. For premium express services, bodies are built for Touring chassis, incorporating local adaptations for enhanced durability on Philippine roadways.

Truck Body Models

Del Monte Motor Works produces a variety of body types tailored for and applications, emphasizing durability and functionality for medium- and heavy-duty operations. These include enclosed options such as closed and aluminum , which provide weatherproof enclosures to protect freight from environmental elements during . Refrigerated are also offered, featuring insulated bodies suitable for perishable goods in sectors like and food , with capacities designed to maintain over long hauls. Open-bed variants encompass platform bodies and , optimized for , construction materials, and agricultural loads, with reinforced structures to support high load-bearing capacities—often exceeding 10 tons depending on specifications. bodies incorporate hydraulic tipping mechanisms for efficient unloading of , , or soil, addressing demands in infrastructure and farming industries where rugged terrain requires robust, low-maintenance designs. These bodies are compatible with from leading brands including Hino, , , and , allowing customization to match payload requirements and regional logistics needs. Safety integrations in truck bodies include reinforced framing for crash protection and optional armored configurations for high-risk cargo transport, reflecting adaptations to increasing freight volumes and regulatory standards in the . Palletized or bottlers bodies facilitate standardized loading for efficient warehouse-to-delivery workflows, while wrecker bodies equip tow trucks with integrated winches and booms for roadside recovery in fleets. All bodies prioritize galvanized for resistance, ensuring longevity in tropical climates prone to heavy rains and humidity.

Custom and Special Builds

Del Monte Motor Works, Inc. provides custom bodywork for buses and trucks adapted to specific client needs, including shuttle services for airports, bases, and commercial complexes such as NAIA, , Mall of Asia, and SM Group facilities. These builds often incorporate modifications for high-capacity urban or inter-facility transport, demonstrating the company's flexibility in integrating bodies onto imported chassis from brands like , Hino, and . Specialty bus configurations include mobile clinics, dental clinics, leisure vehicles, and camper buses, typically on compact chassis such as the NQR for maneuverability in niche applications like outreach or recreational travel. For premium coach models like the Touring, clients can specify interior customizations, including seating arrangements and amenities tailored to or long-haul comfort requirements. While core production emphasizes standardized bodies, these special builds highlight adaptations for utility and private sector demands, such as enhanced features or modular interiors, though specific material innovations like composites are not prominently documented in available specifications. Truck customizations remain less detailed in public records, focusing primarily on vocational bodies for rather than highly specialized emergency or off-road variants.

Market Position and Impact

Customers and Partnerships

Del Monte Motor Works maintains long-term relationships with major bus operators in the Philippines, including its subsidiary Del Monte Land Transport Bus Company (DLTBCo), which operates over 700 franchised units primarily in Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Other regular bus customers encompass provincial fleets such as Victory Liner Inc., Philtranco Service Enterprises Inc., Partas Transportation Co. Inc., and Goldline Transportation Co. Inc., alongside urban shuttles for Philippine Airlines airport services, Fort Bonifacio, and the SM Group of Companies including Mall of Asia. These ties support fleet expansions by providing customized bus bodies tailored to local route demands and regulatory standards. The company collaborates with international and domestic chassis manufacturers to integrate bodies onto various platforms, enhancing vehicle reliability and performance for Philippine conditions. Compatible chassis include those from Hino, , , (); (); and (); Daewoo, Hyundai, Ssangyong (Korea); and others like Fiat, Leyland, and . This integration allows operators to pair durable imported chassis with locally fabricated bodies, offering cost-effective alternatives to fully imported vehicles while complying with government programs such as the Comprehensive Vehicle Development Program. Specialized partnerships extend to corporate and government clients for custom builds, including shuttle services for , Bottling Philippines, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, and agencies like the and the . These relationships underscore Del Monte's role in delivering solutions that prioritize durability and adaptability, sustaining business through repeat orders from over 80 bus operators and diverse institutional fleets.

Contributions to Philippine Transport Sector

Del Monte Motor Works has supported the growth of public bus services in the by producing bodies for and provincial operators since 1950, enabling fleet expansions amid rising demand for affordable mobility. The company fabricated trailers accommodating 200 passengers for the Metro Manila Transit Corporation on and Marcos Highway, and rehabilitated double-decker buses, addressing capacity needs on major routes during the 1970s and 1980s. These efforts contributed to serving underserved areas through partnerships with entities like the and airport authorities, supplying shuttle buses for NAIA and facilities such as and SM malls. The firm's acquisition of Bus Lines Transit Bus Company in the early 2010s, rebranded as DLTB, sustains operations with 700 franchises and plans for 1,000 units across Southern , , and , facilitating logistics in the archipelago's challenging geography requiring durable vehicles. Truck body production similarly aids cargo transport, with a monthly capacity of 200 units supporting operator fleets despite reliance on imported from manufacturers like , , and . This import dependency limits full value addition, as bodies are assembled locally but core components arrive complete or in kits. Local fabrication fosters employment in skilled trades such as and assembly, employing between 51 and 264 workers across four plants, though the scale remains modest compared to full vehicle production elsewhere. Economic efficiency is constrained by competition from lower-cost imports; Vietnamese firm THACO entered the market in June 2025 via local distributor BJ Mercantile, while Chinese producer captured 16.8% by 2017 through exports. These pressures highlight the sector's vulnerability to regional advantages in and assembly costs.
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